Republic FC is finally back in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This week, the tournament returns to the River City as the Indomitable Club faces off against rival Monterey Bay F.C. at Heart Health Park. It’s the first-ever cup contest between the two squads after five matchups all-time. A spot in the Round of 16 is on the line, with the winner securing a spot in another NorCal derby.
At a Glance: #SACvMB
- Tuesday, May 7 – 7:30 PM PT kickoff
- Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
- Watch: USOpenCup.com, USLSoccer.com
- Tickets: SacRepublicFC.com/tickets
Republic FC – The Latest
Republic FC continued league play on the weekend against Phoenix Rising FC – staying unbeaten on the season with a 1-1 draw. Rodrigo Lopez got his club on the board in the first half with a set-piece score – his second goal on the season. Phoenix equalized in the second half, sending each club back with a point in hand.
Saturday’s result marked Republic FC’s 9th straight unbeaten result to start the season – keeping the club atop the Western Conference standings. Sacramento has scored first in every game, finishes Week 9 as the top scoring team in the Western Conference with 14 goals, and remains the only team not to trail at any point in a game this season. The club is one of only two teams league-wide that has let to lose this season.
Know Your Opponent
In the previous round, Monterey Bay bested upstart third division side Irvine Zeta, advancing to the Fourth Round for the second consecutive tournament. A brace from debutant Jerry Ayon both opened the scoring and provided the winner in the 65th minute for the Seaside club.
Union has started strong in 2024. The club scored in each of its first seven league contests and tallied three straight wins from April 6 to April 20, jumping as high as second in the Western Conference table. The club again boasts some strong attacking weapons – new acquisition Tristan Traeger leads the squad with four scores on the season, and former Republic FC forward Luther Archimède now dons Crisp and Kelp. In Week 9, they fell to Indy Eleven 1-0 at home.
Match Notes
Republic FC and Monterey Bay F.C. have faced off five times prior – but never in Open Cup play. All-time, Sacramento has claimed three wins against the Seaside club, taking the most recent meeting by a 1-0 score line at Cardinale Stadium.
Republic FC has reached the Round of 32 in all but one tournament it has participated in, and in five straight tournaments dating to 2017. The club has advanced to the Round of 16 three times, most recently in 2022.
Defender Shane Wiedt will be unavailable for selection for the match due to a suspension. The Ohio native was shown two yellow cards in the club’s Round of 32 match in 2023 against the Colorado Rapids, resulting in a sendoff.
